‘Robo-lawyers’ tipped to wipe out humans

In the US, a builder can use a computer program to get feedback on the relevant regulations, without involving a lawyer or the local council. A similar program created in Australia by legal firm Plexus has coded all the different laws relating to trade promotion deals to establish what is required for a permit. “This is said to be 400 times faster and 20-30 per cent cheaper than, what was described as, the ‘traditional’ method, of using humans,’’ said Bathurst. “It does seem therefore that technology really can, ‘work it harder, make it better, do it faster’.”